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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

587 reports
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40,000 miles · Feb 12, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 FREESTYLE, I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWICE FOR THIS SURGING ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE FREAKS OUT WHEN IT SURGES, SHE HAS ALMOST LOST CONTROL SOMETIMES…

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I HAVE A 2005 FREESTYLE, I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWICE FOR THIS SURGING ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE FREAKS OUT WHEN IT SURGES, SHE HAS ALMOST LOST CONTROL SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447706

83,000 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ONLY TO HAVE IT STALL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ONLY TO HAVE IT STALL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10447161

142,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED OR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED OR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10443508

57,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THIS FREESTYLE HAS SURGED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. WE REPLACE A FAILED THROTTLE BODY IN 2010. RECENTLY IN SHOP IN 9/11 FOR NONSTART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443451

67,000 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD, STALLING OUT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WRENCH ICON LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOPPING, AND VERY PORE ACCELERATION. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AT READING CODES DISCOVERED IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I NOTICED ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE POSTED ON L…

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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD, STALLING OUT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WRENCH ICON LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOPPING, AND VERY PORE ACCELERATION. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AT READING CODES DISCOVERED IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I NOTICED ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE POSTED ON LINE ABOUT THIS SAME VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED YOUR INVESTIGATION OPENED IN 2011. REPAIRS WERE MADE BY MYSELF AT THE COST OF $608.00. ALSO, I NOTICED THE NEW REPLACEMENT PART HAD AN ENGINEERING CHANGE THAT ELIMINATED THE ANTI FREEZE HEATER SECTION. I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY RECALLING THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM USED IN THIS FORD VEHICLE. I ALSO WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED THE THROTTLE BODY ,THAT THIS PART WAS COMMON TO BE REPLACED. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442754

80,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, I HAD TO PRESS VERY HARD ON BREAK TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM LAUNCHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ALWAYS WHEN STOPPED BUT NOT IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442196

40,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442193

53,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE BODY IS GIVING ME TROUBLE. WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES I AM AT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK OR JUST AT A LIGHT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441913

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT WAS UNSURE AS TO THE EXACT REPAIR THAT WAS MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441379

30,329 miles · Dec 26, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JANUARY 2006. AFTER TWO YEARS I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE VARIOUS UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEIR WORK ORDER INDICATED THEY HAD PERFORMED AN "EEC TEST CODE P2106 (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR), IT ALSO INDICATED A PIN POI…

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I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JANUARY 2006. AFTER TWO YEARS I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE VARIOUS UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEIR WORK ORDER INDICATED THEY HAD PERFORMED AN "EEC TEST CODE P2106 (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR), IT ALSO INDICATED A PIN POINT TEST QE1, QE9, AND THEY PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY". THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR SOME TIME AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN (ACCELERATION). THE PROBLEM REALLY GETS WORSE WITH THE A/C ON AND WHILE I TRY TO MANEUVER INTO PARKING SPACES OR WHILE I'M AT A FULL STOP WAITING TO TURN. I HAVE SINCE USED LESS MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE CAUSES A GREAT BURDEN ON ME AND MY FAMILY SINCE THIS IS OUR DAILY DRIVER AND WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID ANY MISHAPS THAT COULD INVOLVE AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441206

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Nov 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure

Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.